Extinct Species

In biology and ecology, extinction is the end of an organism or of a group of organisms

(taxon), normally a species. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death
of the last individual of the species, although the capacity to breed and recover may have
been lost before this point.
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Spix's Macaw, also called the Little Blue Macaw, was known for its beautiful blue feathers.
While some still exist in captivity, these tiny blue birds are extinct in the wild.
Cause of extinction: Habitat destruction and illegal trapping and trade contributed to the
macaw's dwindling numbers.
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The majestic West African black rhino was declared extinct in 2006, after conservationists
failed to find any in their last remaining habitat in Cameroon. The West African black rhino
was one of four subspecies of rhinoceros.
Cause of extinction: Poachers hunted the rhino for its horn, which is believed by some in
Yemen and China to possess aphrodisiacal powers.

Kokia cookeiExtinct: 1978 in the wild

When Kokia cookei was first discovered in the 1860s, only three trees could be located. It
was presumed extinct in the 1950s when the last seedling died, until 1970 when a single
specimen was found. This speciment died eight years later in a fire, though not before a
branch was taken and grafted onto another related, and also endangered, tree.

Cyanea superbaExtinct: 1932 and 2002 in the wild (per respective subspecies)
Originally endemic to the island of Oahu, the two subspecies of Cyanea superba were found
in the lowland forest habitat of the Waianae and Koolau Mountains. Ssp. regina has not been
seen since 1932, whereas ssp. superba was counted at sixty plants in the 1970s. By 2002, all
had died.
Today, Cyanea superba is being propagated in facilities across Hawaii, and the United States
army has collected over 50,000 seeds and put them in storage.
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Definition: An Endangered (EN) species is a species which has been categorized by the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as likely to become extinct.
"Endangered" is the second most severe conservation status for wild populations in the
IUCN's schema after Critically Endangered.

The Polar Bear is a large species of bear that is found inhabiting the ice fields in the Arctic
Ocean. It is the biggest species of bear in the world (with the exception of the Kodiak Brown
Bears found in Alaska which can reach similar sizes) with males often weighing-in at around
600kg. Thought to be closely related to the Brown Bear, the Polar Bears' name actually
means "Sea Bear" as they are known to not just spend a great deal of time close to the coast,
but are also strong and capable swimmers that have been spotted up to 100 miles from the
closest ice or land.

The Blue Whale is an enormous species of whale that is found in subtropical and polar waters
worldwide. With some individuals growing to more than 100ft long, the Blue Whale is not
only the largest animal species in the world but it is also thought that it could be the biggest
creature that has ever existed. There are three recognised sub-species of the Blue Whale
which are the Northern Blue Whale, the Southern Blue Whale and the Pygmy Blue Whale
that despite it's name, still reaches an average length of 24 meters.
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Rafflesia arnoldii is thought to be the largest flower on the planet. The flower itself does not
have a structural stem, leaves, or roots. But what it does have is the pungent odors of
decomposing flesh, hence the nickname corpse flower. It grows three feet in diameter, and
weighs up to 24 pounds. The Rafflesia is parasitic, growing on the Tetrastigma vine in the
forests of Borneo and Sumatra.

Platanthera praeclara only exists in five U.S. states in the Midwest. The Endangered
Species Coalition estimates that there are only 172 populations of this plant, with merely four
with more than 1,000 plants. This is a wetland plant that grows in prairie potholes, indents
left by glaciers in the recent ice age, 20,000 years ago. The main threats to this plant are
development, overgrazing, fires, and global warming.

Definition: Endemic is precinctive, which applies to species (and subspecific categories) that
are restricted to a defined geographical area. A native species, such as a native plant, is one
that is considered to have been endemic for a relatively long period of time.

Texella cokendolpheri is a rare species of arachnid known by the common name

Cokendolpher Cave harvestman. It may also be called the Robber Baron cave harvestman. It
is endemic to Texas in the United States, where it is only known from a single cave in Bexar
County. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.

White Pine amphipod, an eyeless, white and brand new species of freshwater shrimp has been
discovered in water at the bottom of a deep cave in Great Basin National Park.
The White Pine amphipod is endemic to only one cave at the park and joins other species that
occur only at the park located just over the Nevada border from Utah. Two millipedes and a
pseudoscorpion are among the other species that are unique to the park.
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Gawula (formerly known as Mt Wheeler) lies between Rockhampton and Yeppoon, in

Australia. It has some large cliffs on its western face. On the south-east face is a type of soft
rock which has formed into many huge caverns and overhangs. Gold mining around its base
has been going on since the 19th century. Mount Wheeler stands at approximately 365 metres
(1,198 ft) high. Local hiking enthusiasts have reported strange flickering lights that can
sometimes be seen at night in some of the more inaccessible caverns on the south-east face.
Theories range from simple fireflies to bushranger campfires and even fairy gatherings. In
2007 Mt Wheeler was handed over to the traditional owners, the Darumbal people and
subsequently rename as its original name, Gawula.

Chamelaucium, also known as waxflower, is a genus of shrubs endemic to south western

Western Australia. They belong to the myrtle family Myrtaceae and have flowers similar to
those of the tea-trees (Leptospermum). The most well-known species is the Geraldton Wax,
Chamelaucium uncinatum, which is cultivated widely for its large attractive flowers.
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